27 September 2011 10:48 AM

Talking tactics: How England can beat Scotland ... and the other way around

THREE THINGS TO TROUBLE SCOTLAND

PACE OUT WIDE

England's backs are finally firing. The two fly-halves, Toby Flood and Jonny Wilkinson, bring a different shape to the backline but both have found their own way to keep the engine running. Manu Tuilagi can punch Samoan-shaped holes in any defence and the back three are relishing playing off him. Rarely have both England's wingers scored a hat-trick in a Test match. Romania's second-string side might not be the fairest of barometer but at least England showed a cutting edge that has been so lacking since Martin Johnson took over. Backs coach Brian Smith drills into his charges the necessity of taking points in the 'red zone' and it was a real weakness during the World Cup warm-ups, but for the first time since the start of the Six Nations, England look they have some real artillery.

SCRUM

While England absorbed the pressure of the Argentinian scrum, Scotland suffered under the might of the Puma pack. Admittedly there will be a change in personnel from both the tight fives who fronted up to Argentina. An injury to Andrew Sheridan has seen arguably the best loosehead in the game fly home and as this match will be played on a Saturday, Scotland's Euan Murray is likely to return to the fold. Even so, one first-half scrum on Sunday saw the Scottish front row players lifted off their feet. If England can take away that platform it will stifle Scotland's attackers. You cannot push if your studs can't touch the ground.

KNOCKOUT SAVVY

It might say pool-stage match on the tin but this is knockout rugby. It will not be one for the Southern Hemisphere purist. Tight, abrasive, physical and the buzzword will be territory. Kick to the corners, put the set piece under pressure, keep the mistakes to a minimum. If Samoa versus Fiji was a disappointment, look away now. If you like to watch 30 dogged animals go at it for 80 minutes then stock up on popcorn.

THREE THINGS TO TROUBLE ENGLAND

THE RUCK

Defence coach Mike Ford admitted Scotland were ferocious at the ruck when they played England at Twickenham in the Six Nations. They caused England a lot of problems — disrupting play and slowing the ball down in defence, and rucking hard and fast to increase the tempo in attack. Ford even said this week that they have improved even further at the breakdown. 'They've carried on and gone to a different level — when they tackle they actually get through and disrupt your ball very, very well.' It has already been a problem for England during this tournament and could well be again.

THE ELEMENTS

Having played three consecutive Test matches under the Otago Stadium roof, the swirling, unsheltered Eden Park could be a real shock to the system. The team have played down the issue of switching venue and climate, insisting they train outdoors everyday and always have, but adjusting to driving rain in a Test match is easier said than done. They haven't played with a slippy ball on a muddy paddock since February. The Otago lawn was like astroturf in its perfection and England will go from a putting lawn to the St Andrews rough — if last night's rain storm is anything to go by at least.

ALL THAT PASSION ...

Scotland know they are playing for survival. Although English fans will need a calculator on the sidelines, the task for Scotland is very simple: score lots of tries and concede very few. England can expect a backlash against a side who have ambushed them against the odds more often than should be possible. In England's defence they have been very vocal in acknowledging the necessity to be 'more hungry, more passionate' than their rivals north of the border.

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